Yes. Werner does hire people with felony convictions. Having a felony isn’t a reason for an instant rejection, but hiring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and depend on the type of offense, how long ago it happened, and the job you apply for.
Does Werner Trucking Hire Felons?
Werner isn’t a second-chance employer, and they don’t mention felonies on their careers website. However, employee reports confirm that Werner has hired felons in the past with both violent and nonviolent convictions.
Hiring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. As with most trucking companies, recent felonies, drug convictions, and any driving-related offenses or violations are more likely to be disqualifying than older offenses.
Can You Drive for Werner With a DUI?
You won’t be able to drive for Werner with a recent DUI. Employee reports say the company requires a five-year waiting period after a DUI conviction before a driver can be hired.
Werner’s driver application asks whether you have ever been convicted of, or currently have charges pending for, DUI, DWI, or another alcohol-related offense.
It also asks about reckless driving, license suspensions, and drug or alcohol testing violations. If your felony involved driving, drugs, or alcohol, Werner could reject your application.
Does Werner Do Background Checks?
Werner runs a full background check on all drivers during the hiring process. They’ll verify the information on your application, look at your driving record, and run a criminal records check.
If your felony is within Werner’s lookback period, they’ll review the nature and age of the offense before deciding if they can offer you a job.
Lookback periods vary from state to state. If your state limits employment background checks to 7 years, older felonies can’t be used in hiring decisions.
Background checks are common for many jobs in the trucking industry, and they’re required for all CDL driver jobs.
If Werner can’t hire you because of your felony, look at companies that take a more forgiving approach to past mistakes.
Does Werner Drug Test?
Werner has to follow federal DOT drug and alcohol testing rules that mandate pre-employment testing for CDL drivers.
They must also check the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse before allowing a CDL driver to start work.
The Clearinghouse contains records of drug and alcohol testing violations involving commercial drivers.
If you’re hired, you’ll also face random drug screens, testing after accidents, and testing if there’s suspicion of drug or alcohol use.
The test checks your urine sample for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates (opium and codeine derivatives)
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Marijuana is always on the drug screen for CDL drivers, even if recreational or medical marijuana is legal in your state.
Does Werner Enterprises Hire Felons for Other Jobs?
Werner jobs aren’t limited to truck driving; they also hire for fleet maintenance, technician, logistics, office, and other support jobs.
If your conviction involved DUI, reckless driving, vehicle theft, drugs, or another driving-related issue, a non-driving position could be worth considering.
Does Werner Offer Paid CDL Training?
Werner owns Roadmaster Drivers School and partners with other CDL schools nationwide. They don’t offer paid tuition, but they have a tuition reimbursement program.
You’ll pay the CDL school upfront or apply for financing, then when you start work, they issue a monthly reimbursement check.
You could also qualify for a training grant that covers some or all of the cost of CDL training. The WIOA grant helps unemployed and low-income workers train for new careers, and as of July 2026, the federal Pell Grant can be used for some CDL training programs.
FAQ
Does Werner Hire Felons for Non-Driving Jobs?
Yes. Werner has office, maintenance, logistics, technician, and other jobs that don’t have the same CDL requirements as driving positions.
Will Werner Know About an Old Felony?
It depends on how old the felony is and how far back they can look in your state. If an older felony shows up on the background check, it may not be disqualifying.
Don’t try to hide a felony. If your conviction is within the period they ask about on the application, provide accurate details.
Does Werner Hire People With Violent Felonies?
Possibly. Employees report being hired with violent felonies on their records, but Werner makes these decisions on an individual basis.
Having an older felony gives you a better chance of getting hired, and if your felony is outside the lookback period, it shouldn’t cause a problem.
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